Endoscopic clip applier

ABSTRACT

An endoscopic surgical clip applier is provided, wherein a distal end of the surgical clip applier is introduced to a target surgical site through a cannula having a fixed diameter lumen. The surgical clip applier comprises an endoscopic portion supported by and extending from a handle assembly, and a pair of jaws supported at a distal end of an outer tube, wherein the pair of jaws are movable between a fully open condition and approximated conditions. When the pair of jaws are in the fully open condition the pair of jaws extend radially beyond an outer diameter of the outer tube to a dimension greater than the fixed diameter of the lumen of the cannula; and when the pair of jaws are in at least one approximated condition the pair of jaws have a transverse dimension permitting passage through the lumen of the cannula.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/653,593, filed on May 31, 2012, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Description

The present disclosure relates to surgical clip appliers and, moreparticularly, to surgical clip appliers including a constant engagementwedge plate and independent manual release.

2. Background of Related Art

Laparoscopic procedures are performed in the interior of the abdomen.These procedures are through a small incision and through a narrowendoscopic tube or cannula inserted through a small entrance incision inthe skin. Meanwhile, minimally invasive procedures performed elsewherein the body are often generally referred to as “endoscopic” procedures.A surgeon will typically insert and extend a tube or cannula device intothe body through the entrance incision to provide an access port. Thisport allows insertion of various surgical instruments therethrough,including endoscopic surgical clip applier.

These instruments are used for performing surgical procedures on organs,blood vessels, ducts, or body tissue far removed from the incision.Often during these procedures, it is necessary to apply hemostatic clipsto blood vessels or various ducts to prevent the flow of body fluidstherethrough during the procedure. Many different hemostatic clipshaving different geometries may be used and all are within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

One advantage of minimally invasive surgical procedures is the reductionof trauma to the patient as a result of accessing internal organsthrough smaller incisions. Known endoscopic clip appliers have greatlyfacilitated the advent of more advanced minimally invasive procedures bypermitting a number of clip applications during a single entry into thebody cavity. Commercially available endoscopic clip appliers aregenerally of 10 mm outer diameter and are adapted to be introducedthrough a 10 mm cannula. Other commercially available endoscopic clipappliers may also be generally have a 5 mm outer diameter and areadapted to be introduced through a 5 mm cannula.

In order for a 5 mm clip applier to be able to pass through a 5 mmcannula, it may be necessary for the jaws of the clip applier to deflectclosed or be held in a closed state during insertion. However, followinginsertion, it is desirable for the jaws of the 5 mm clip applier toreturn to a fully opened condition and, preferably be held in the fullyopen condition, during manipulation in the anatomical cavity, so thatthe jaws may retain their alignment with one another and so that thejaws may proper receive a surgical clip therein for formation, asneeded.

Accordingly, a need exists for a surgical clip applier including amechanism for supporting the pair of jaws at substantially all timesexcept during an insertion/retraction of the surgical clip applier tothe anatomical cavity, and during a firing of the surgical clip applier.

Accordingly, a need also exists for a surgical clip applier including apair of jaws that may be held in a fully open condition, duringmanipulation in the anatomical cavity, and which may be selectivelyapproximated for insertion through a 5 mm cannula.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, a surgical clip applier including aconstant engagement wedge plate and independent manual release isprovided.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an endoscopic surgicalclip applier for application of surgical clips to body tissue, isprovided, wherein a distal end of the surgical clip applier isintroduced to a target surgical site through a cannula having a fixeddiameter lumen. The surgical clip applier comprises a handle assemblyincluding a trigger actuatable to actuate the surgical clip applier; andan endoscopic portion supported by and extending from the handleassembly. The endoscopic portion includes an outer tube having adiameter dimensioned for passage through the lumen of the cannula; apair of jaws supported at a distal end of the outer tube, wherein thepair of jaws are movable between a fully open condition and approximatedconditions, wherein when the pair of jaws are in the fully opencondition the pair of jaws extend radially beyond an outer diameter ofthe outer tube to a dimension greater than the fixed diameter of thelumen of the cannula; and when the pair of jaws are in at least oneapproximated condition the pair of jaws have a transverse dimensionpermitting passage through the lumen of the cannula.

The endoscopic portion also includes a wedge plate slidably disposedwithin the endoscopic portion, the wedge plate defining a nose at adistal end thereof. The wedge plate is movable between a distal-mostposition wherein the nose is interposed between the pair of jaws tomaintain the pair of jaws in the fully open condition; and at least oneproximal position wherein the nose is at least partially withdrawn frombetween the pair of jaws to permit the pair of jaws to be placed in theat least one approximated condition.

The surgical clip also includes a release mechanism connected to thewedge plate. In use, an actuation of the release mechanism withdraws thenose of the wedge plate from between the pair of jaws. Also in use, anactuation of the trigger withdraws the nose from between the pair ofjaws.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an endoscopicsurgical clip applier for application of surgical clips to body tissue,is provided, wherein a distal end of the surgical clip applier isintroduced to a target surgical site through a cannula having a fixeddiameter lumen. The surgical clip applier comprises a handle assemblyincluding a trigger, the trigger being actuatable to actuate thesurgical clip applier; and an endoscopic portion supported by andextending from the handle assembly.

The endoscopic portion includes an outer tube having a diameterdimensioned for passage through the lumen of the cannula; and a pair ofjaws supported at a distal end of the outer tube, wherein the pair ofjaws is movable between a fully open condition and approximatedconditions. Wherein when the pair of jaws are in the fully opencondition the pair of jaws extend radially beyond an outer diameter ofthe outer tube to a dimension greater than the fixed diameter of thelumen of the cannula; and when the pair of jaws are in at least oneapproximated condition the pair of jaws have a transverse dimension atleast less than the fixed diameter of the lumen of the cannula. Theendoscopic portion also includes a wedge plate slidably disposed withinat least the endoscopic portion, wherein the wedge plate defines adistal end. The wedge plate is movable between a distal-most positionwherein the distal end of the wedge plate is interposed between the pairof jaws to maintain the pair of jaws in the fully open condition; and atleast one proximal position wherein the distal end of the wedge plate isat least partially withdrawn from between the pair of jaws to permit thepair of jaws to be placed in at least a partially approximatedcondition.

The surgical clip applier further includes a release mechanism connectedto the wedge plate. In use, an actuation of the release mechanismwithdraws the distal end of the wedge plate from between the pair ofjaws. Also in use, an actuation of the trigger withdraws the distal endof the wedge plate from between the pair of jaws.

The release mechanism may include a biasing member for urging the wedgeplate to the distal-most position. The biasing member may be connectedto at least the wedge plate.

The release mechanism may include an inner tube slidably disposed withinthe outer tube, wherein the inner tube includes a distal end coupled tothe wedge plate.

A proximal end of the inner tube may extend into the handle assembly.The release mechanism may include at least one release pin extendingfrom the proximal end of the inner tube through a respective slotdefined in the handle assembly.

The wedge plate may be in the distal-most position when the trigger isin an un-actuated condition.

The wedge plate may be in the distal-most position when the trigger andthe release mechanism are both in an un-actuate condition.

The wedge plate may be at least partially withdrawn when the trigger isat least partially actuated.

The withdrawal of the wedge plate by the trigger may be independent ofthe withdrawal of the wedge plate by the release mechanism.

The surgical clip applier may further comprises at least one surgicalclip loaded therein.

The surgical clip applier may further comprise a clip pusher configuredto individually distally advance a surgical clip to the pair of jawswhile the pair of jaws are in the open condition.

The surgical clip applier may further include a jaw closure memberpositioned adjacent the pair of jaws to move the pair of jaws to anapproximated position upon an actuation of the trigger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present clip applier will be more fully appreciated as the samebecomes better understood from the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a distal, right side, perspective view of a surgical clipapplier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in afirst condition;

FIG. 2 is a proximal, left side, perspective view of the surgical clipapplier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of components of anendoscopic portion and a manual release mechanism of the surgical clipapplier of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the indicated area of detailof FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a connection betweena distal end of a manual release mechanism and a proximal end of a wedgeplate;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a proximal end of the release mechanismillustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a distal end of the release mechanismillustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a bottom, plan view of a pair of jaws of the surgical clipapplier of FIGS. 1-3, shown in a first condition, illustrating the pairof jaws having a transverse dimension that is greater than a transversedimension of a lumen of a cannula, thereby preventing entrance of thepair of jaws;

FIG. 10 is a bottom, perspective view of the pair of jaws of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a distal, right side, perspective view of the surgical clipapplier of FIGS. 1-3, shown in a second condition;

FIG. 12 is a proximal, left side, perspective view of the surgical clipapplier of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a top, plan view of a pair of jaws of the surgical clipapplier of FIGS. 1-3, shown in a second condition, illustrating the pairof jaws having a transverse dimension that is less than a transversedimension of the lumen of the cannula, thereby permitting entrance ofthe pair of jaws;

FIG. 14 is a top, perspective view of the pair of jaws of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a bottom, perspective view of the pair of jaws of FIGS. 13and 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of surgical clip appliers in accordance with the presentdisclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawingfigures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identicalstructural elements. As shown in the drawings and described throughoutthe following description, as is traditional when referring to relativepositioning on a surgical instrument, the term “proximal” refers to theend of the apparatus which is closer to the user and the term “distal”refers to the end of the apparatus which is further away from the user.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a surgical clip applier, in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure, is generally designated withnumeral 10. Surgical clip applier 10 includes a handle assembly 12 andan endoscopic portion 14 supported by and extending distally from handleassembly 12. Handle assembly 12 is made from a thermoplastic materialand the elongated member is made from a biocompatible material (e.g., astainless steel or a titanium material or alloy).

Handle assembly 12 of clip applier 10 includes a fixed handle 12 a and atrigger 12 b operatively connected to fixed handle 12 a.

Endoscopic portion 14 of clip applier 10 includes an elongated tubularmember 15, supported by and extending from handle assembly 12, and apair of jaws 16 mounted on a distal end of tubular member 15. The pairof jaws 16 are formed from a suitable biocompatible material, such as,for example, stainless steel, titanium or a suitable alloy. In use,complete actuation and release of trigger 12 b results in a completeclosing and opening of the pair of jaws 16.

The pair of jaws 16 includes a first jaw member 16 a and a second jawmember 16 b disposed in juxtaposed, planar relation to one another. Eachjaw member 16 a, 16 b defines a respective clip channel 17 a, 17 bformed in opposed surfaces thereof for receiving an unformed surgicalclip “C” therein, and for retaining the surgical clip “C” during anapproximation or closing of the jaw members 16 a, 16 b to form thesurgical clip “C”.

Endoscopic portion 14 of clip applier 10 includes a rotation knob 20.Knob 20 is rotatably mounted on a distal end of handle assembly 12 andis connected to the elongated tubular member 15 to provide a threehundred sixty degree (360°) rotation of the elongated tubular member 15and the pair of jaws 16 thereon relative to a longitudinal center axisof endoscopic portion 14.

Endoscopic portion 14 of clip applier 10 includes a clip pusher feed bar40 for feeding and/or advancing individual surgical clips “C” betweenjaw members 16 a, 16 b of the pair of jaws 16. Feed bar 40 isoperatively connected to and actuatable by trigger 12 b as trigger 12 bis actuated.

Reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,886, the entire content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference, for a detailed discussion ofthe construction and configuration of many of the components of surgicalclip applier 10, and some of the operation of said components ofsurgical clip applier 10.

Tubular member 15 of endoscopic portion 14 of clip applier 10 includesan outer tube 15 a configured to support the pair of jaws 16 at a distalend thereof and a number of other operative components of surgical clipapplier 10. Typically, the pairs of jaws 16, when in a fully open orun-approximated condition, extend radially outward from or beyond anouter surface of the outer tube 15 a.

Outer tube 15 a defines an outer diameter that generally constitutes ordefines the size of the surgical clip applier 10, e.g., 5 mm, 10 mm,etc. As mentioned above, surgical clip appliers 10 are introduced to ananatomical space via a cannula 100 (see FIGS. 9 and 13) defining a lumen102 therethrough, wherein the lumen 102 of the cannula 100 defines aninner diameter or transverse dimension “d”. Generally, in use, thecannula 100 selected for the surgical procedure must accommodate thesize (i.e., diameter) of the surgical clip applier that is to beinserted therethrough, wherein the surgical clip applier has a maximumtransverse dimension or is approximately equal to, and smaller, than theinner diameter “d” of lumen 102 of cannula 100. For example, a 5 mm clipapplier will typically necessitate the use of a cannula 100 having alumen 102 of at least 5 mm.

Since the lumen 102 of the cannula 100 can only accommodate a fixeddimension, and since the pairs of jaws 16, when in a fully open orun-approximated condition, extend radially outward from or beyond anouter surface of the outer tube 15 a, to a dimension “D” (see FIG. 9),the pair of jaws 16 may deflect radially inward or may be approximated,prior to or during passage through the lumen 102 of the cannula 100, andthen permitted to return to or actuated to a fully open condition afterpassage through the lumen 102 of the cannula 100.

Surgical clip applier 10 includes a wedge plate 60 slidably disposedwithin at least endoscopic portion 14 and which is actuatable, directlyor indirectly, by trigger 12 b. Wedge plate 60 includes a nose 62 formedat a distal end thereof. In accordance with the present disclosure,wedge plate 60 includes a distal-most position, wherein nose 62 of wedgeplate 60 is interposed between first jaw member 16 a and second jawmember 16 b of the pair of jaws 16. When in the distal-most position, asseen in FIGS. 9 and 10, wedge plate 60, and nose 62 thereof, functionsto support the pair of jaws 16, to spread the pair of jaws 16 toproperly receive a new or un-formed surgical clip “C” therein, and tohelp maintain first jaw member 16 a and second jaw member 16 b of thepair of jaws 16 in proper juxtaposed alignment with one another.

Also in accordance with the present disclosure, wedge plate 60 includesat least one proximal position, as seen in FIGS, 13-15, wherein nose 62of wedge plate 60 is removed from between first jaw member 16 a andsecond jaw member 16 b of the pair of jaws 16. When in any proximalposition, wedge plate 60, and nose 62 thereof, does not affect a closingof the pair of jaws 16 and thus the pair of jaws 16 is free toapproximate or close to form any surgical clip “C” disposed betweenfirst jaw member 16 a and second jaw member 16 b.

In accordance with the present disclosure, when clip applier 10 is in aninitial or un-actuated condition, trigger 12 b is in an initial orun-actuated condition, and wedge plate 60 is in a distal-most positionsuch that nose 62 thereof is disposed between the pair of jaws 16 tomaintain the pair of jaws 60 in a fully opened condition (see FIGS. 9and 10). During use, as trigger 12 b is actuated from the initial orun-actuated condition, to any subsequent or actuated condition, trigger12 b directly or indirectly causes wedge plate 60 to retract to withdrawnose 62 thereof from between first jaw member 16 a and second jaw member16 b (see FIGS. 13-15), to allow for the pair of jaws 16 to approximateand form a surgical clip “C” disposed between first jaw member 16 a andsecond jaw member 16 b.

With reference back to FIGS. 9 and 10, with nose 62 of wedge plate 60disposed between first jaw member 16 a and second jaw member 16 b, thepair of jaws 16 are maintained in a fully open or un-approximatedcondition. In accordance with the present disclosure, as mentionedabove, when the pair of jaws 16 is in the fully open or un-approximatedcondition, the pair of jaws 16 project beyond or extend radially outwardfrom an outer surface of the outer tube 15 a, to have a transversedimension “D”.

Further, with nose 62 of wedge plate 60 withdrawn from between first jawmember 16 a and second jaw member 16 b, the pair of jaws 16 is capableof being approximated so that the first jaw member 16 a and the secondjaw member 16 b do not extend radially beyond an outer bounds orexterior surface of outer tube 15 a of endoscopic portion 14 (i.e., thepair of jaws 16 has a transverse dimension “˜d” which is smaller thanthe outer diameter of outer tube 15 a of endoscopic portion 14 andapproximately equal to, and smaller, than the inner dimension “d” of thelumen 102 of cannula 100).

In accordance with the present disclosure, as seen throughout thefigures, and particularly as seen in FIGS. 1-8, 11 and 12, surgical clipapplier 10 includes a manual release mechanism 70 for wedge plate 60that is configured and adapted to withdrawn wedge plate 60, from itsdistal-most position, independently of any direct or indirect withdrawalof wedge plate 60 due to the actuation of trigger 12 b.

Manual release mechanism 70 includes an inner tube 72 (or rigid barmember or the like) slidably disposed within outer tube 15 a. Inner tube72 includes a distal end 72 a disposed and extending into endoscopicportion 14, and a proximal end 72 b disposed within handle assembly 12.As seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7, inner tube 72 includes at least oneretraction pin 74 supported thereon and extending from proximal end 72 band preferably projecting through an elongate slot 12 c defined in fixedhandle 12 a. Desirably, a pair of retraction pins 74 supported on innertube 72 and projecting through respective elongate slots 12 c of fixedhandle 12 a.

As seen in FIGS. 4-6 and 8, inner tube 72 includes a lip or flange 72 cextending distally from distal end 72 a Inner tube 72 includes anattachment block 76 connected to and supported on flange 72 c.

Surgical clip applier 10 may include a link member 78 secured to wedgeplate 60, wherein link member 78 provides reinforcement and support to aproximal end of wedge plate 60. Link member 78 may be configured toengage or be coupled to attachment block 76 as well. In this manner, asinner tube 72 is actuated, to move wedge plate 60, attachment block 76acts on both wedge plate 60 and link member 78 to move wedge plate 60.

Manual release mechanism 70 may include a biasing member 80, in the formof a coil spring or the like, connected to wedge plate 60 and/or linkmember 78 and to a fixed structure or boss (not shown) provided inhandle assembly 12 and/or endoscopic portion 14. Biasing member 80 isconfigured and attached in such a manner so as to draw wedge plate 60 tothe distal-most position, wherein nose 62 is disposed between the pairof jaws 16, as described above, and so as to draw inner tube 72 to adistal-most position. In accordance with the present disclosure, it isfurther contemplated that biasing member 80 may be connected to innertube 72 in such a manner so as to move inner tube 72 to the distal-mostposition, whereby wedge plate 60 is pushed by inner tube 72 to thedistal-most position such that nose 62 of wedge plate 60 is disposedbetween the pair of jaws 16 and inner tube 72 is disposed in adistal-most position.

In operation, independent of the actuation of surgical clip applier 10by trigger 12 b, wedge plate 60 may be actuated or moved from thedistal-most position thereof to any proximal position upon the actuationof inner tube 72 from a distal-most position thereof to any proximalposition thereof. In particular, with wedge plate 60 and inner tube 72at a distal-most position (see FIGS. 1-3, 9 and 10), as seen in FIGS. 11and 12, a user may withdraw inner tube 72 to a proximal position bymoving retraction pin(s) 74 in a proximal direction relative to handleassembly 12. As inner tube 72 is moved or withdrawn in a proximaldirection, inner tube 72 act on wedge plate 60 (and optionally linkmember 78) to move of withdraw wedge plate 60 in a proximal direction toa proximal position. As discussed above, when wedge plate 60 is moved toa proximal position, nose 62 thereof with withdrawn from between thepair of jaws 16, as seen in FIGS. 13-15, thus allowing or freeing thepair of jaws 16 to close.

Also in use, as inner tube 72 and wedge plate 60 are withdrawn, biasingmember 80 is acted upon to create a potential energy therewith, such as,for example, by stretching or compressing biasing member 80.

Following withdrawal of inner tube 72 and wedge plate 60, when desiredor necessary, the user may release retraction pin(s) 74, therebypermitting the potential energy of the biasing member 80 to return thebiasing member 80 to its original condition (i.e., to contract orexpand). As biasing member 80 returns to its original condition, biasingmember 80 moves inner tube 72 and wedge plate 60 to their distal-mostpositions, wherein nose 62 of wedge plate 60 is re-introduced betweenthe pair of jaws 16 so as to urge the pair of jaws 16 to their spacedapart or fully open position, as seen in FIGS, 9 and 10.

In accordance with the present disclosure, since the pair of jaws 16extend radially outward from or beyond an outer surface of the outertube 15 a, when in a fully open or un-approximated condition, in orderto pass a distal end of surgical clip applier 10 through the fixeddiameter of the lumen 102 of the cannula 100, the manual releasemechanism 70 is actuated, as described above and shown in FIGS. 11 and12, to withdraw nose 62 of wedge plate 60 from between the pair of jaws16, as shown in FIGS. 13-15. With nose 62 of wedge plate 60 withdrawnfrom between the pair of jaws 16, the pair of jaws 16 are free toapproximate relative to one another. In this manner, as seen in FIG. 13,as the distal end of the surgical clip applier 10 (including the pair ofjaws 16) is inserted into and passed through the lumen 102 of thecannula 100, the pair of jaws 16 are acted on by an inner surface of thelumen 102 of the cannula 100, causing the pair of jaws 16 to deflectinward (toward one another by an amount sufficient for the transversedimension of the pair of jaws 16 to be reduced by an amount sufficientto enter the fixed diameter lumen of the cannula 100) until the pair ofjaws 16 completely traverse the lumen 102 of the cannula 100 and exitfrom a distal end of the lumen 102 of the cannula 100.

Once the pair of jaws 16 completely traverse the lumen 102 of thecannula 100 and exit from a distal end of the lumen 102 of the cannula100, a natural resiliency of the pair of jaws 16 will tend to cause thepair of jaws 16 to at least partially spread. Additionally, followingcomplete passage of the pair of jaws 16 beyond a distal end of the lumen102 of the cannula 100, the user releases manual release mechanism 70,as described above, in order to re-introduce nose 62 of wedge plate 60between the pair of jaws 16 and return the pair of jaws 16 to the fullyopen condition, as described above.

Thereafter, the surgical clip applier 10 may be used in a normal mannerto load and form surgical clips “C” on underlying vessels by actuatingand re-actuating trigger 12 b.

Also thereafter, in order to withdraw surgical clip applier 10 fromwithin the cannula 100, following the surgical procedure or following anapplication of all of the surgical clips “C” loaded within the surgicalclip applier 10, the manual release mechanism 70 may once again beactuated, as described above, to withdraw nose 62 of wedge plate 60 frombetween the pair of jaws 16, to permit and/or free the pair of jaws 16to deflect inward for re-passage through the lumen 102 of the cannula100.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is onlyillustrative of the present disclosure. Various alternatives andmodifications can be devised by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure isintended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances.The embodiments described with reference to the attached drawing figuresare presented only to demonstrate certain examples of the disclosure.Other elements, steps, methods and techniques that are insubstantiallydifferent from those described above and/or in the appended claims arealso intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An endoscopic surgical clip applier forapplication of surgical clips to body tissue, wherein a distal end ofthe surgical clip applier is introduced to a target surgical sitethrough a cannula having a fixed diameter lumen, the surgical clipapplier comprising: a handle assembly including a trigger actuatable toactuate the surgical clip applier; an endoscopic portion supported byand extending from the handle assembly, the endoscopic portionincluding: an outer tube having a diameter dimensioned for passagethrough the lumen of the cannula; a pair of jaws supported at a distalend of the outer tube, wherein the pair of jaws are movable between afully open condition and approximated conditions, wherein when the pairof jaws are in the fully open condition the pair of jaws extend radiallybeyond an outer diameter of the outer tube to a dimension greater thanthe fixed diameter of the lumen of the cannula; and when the pair ofjaws are in at least one approximated condition the pair of jaws have atransverse dimension permitting passage through the lumen of thecannula; a wedge plate slidably disposed within the endoscopic portion,the wedge plate defining a nose at a distal end thereof, wherein thewedge plate is movable between: a distal-most position wherein the noseis interposed between the pair of jaws to maintain the pair of jaws inthe fully open condition; and at least one proximal position wherein thenose is at least partially withdrawn from between the pair of jaws topermit the pair of jaws to be placed in the at least one approximatedcondition; and a release mechanism connected to the wedge plate, therelease mechanism including an inner tube slidably disposed within theouter tube, the inner tube including a distal end coupled to the wedgeplate, wherein an actuation of the release mechanism withdraws the noseof the wedge plate from between the pair of jaws; and wherein anactuation of the trigger withdraws the nose from between the pair ofjaws.
 2. The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein therelease mechanism includes a biasing member for urging the wedge plateto the distal-most position.
 3. The surgical clip applier according toclaim 2, wherein the biasing member is connected to at least the wedgeplate.
 4. The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein aproximal end of the inner tube extends into the handle assembly, andwherein at least one release pin extends from the proximal end of theinner tube through a respective slot defined in the handle assembly. 5.The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein the wedge plateis in the distal-most position when the trigger is in an un-actuatedcondition.
 6. The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, whereinthe wedge plate is in the distal-most position when the trigger and therelease mechanism are both in an un-actuate condition.
 7. The surgicalclip applier according to claim 1, wherein the wedge plate is at leastpartially withdrawn when the trigger is at least partially actuated. 8.The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein the withdrawalof the wedge plate by the trigger is independent of the withdrawal ofthe wedge plate by the release mechanism.
 9. The surgical clip applieraccording to claim 1, further comprising at least one surgical cliploaded therein.
 10. The surgical clip applier according to claim 9,further comprising a clip pusher configured to individually distallyadvance a surgical clip to the pair of jaws while the pair of jaws arein the open condition.
 11. The surgical clip applier according to claim10, further comprising a jaw closure member positioned adjacent the pairof jaws to move the pair of jaws to an approximated position upon anactuation of the trigger.
 12. An endoscopic surgical clip applier forapplication of surgical clips to body tissue, wherein a distal end ofthe surgical clip applier is introduced to a target surgical sitethrough a cannula having a fixed diameter lumen, the surgical clipapplier comprising: a handle assembly including a trigger, the triggerbeing actuatable to actuate the surgical clip applier; an endoscopicportion supported by and extending from the handle assembly, theendoscopic portion includes: an outer tube having a diameter dimensionedfor passage through the lumen of the cannula; a pair of jaws supportedat a distal end of the outer tube, wherein the pair of jaws are movablebetween a fully open condition and approximated conditions, wherein whenthe pair of jaws are in the fully open condition the pair of jaws extendradially beyond an outer diameter of the outer tube to a dimensiongreater than the fixed diameter of the lumen of the cannula; and whenthe pair of jaws are in at least one approximated condition the pair ofjaws have a transverse dimension at least less than the fixed diameterof the lumen of the cannula; a wedge plate slidably disposed within atleast the endoscopic portion, the wedge plate defining a distal end,wherein the wedge plate is movable between: a distal-most positionwherein the distal end of the wedge plate is interposed between the pairof jaws to maintain the pair of jaws in the fully open condition; and atleast one proximal position wherein the distal end of the wedge plate isat least partially withdrawn from between the pair of jaws to permit thepair of jaws to be placed in at least a partially approximatedcondition; and a release mechanism connected to the wedge plate, therelease mechanism including an inner tube slidably disposed within theouter tube, the inner tube including a distal end coupled to the wedgeplate, wherein an actuation of the release mechanism withdraws thedistal end of the wedge plate from between the pair of jaws; and whereinan actuation of the trigger withdraws the distal end of the wedge platefrom between the pair of jaws.
 13. The surgical clip applier accordingto claim 12, wherein the release mechanism includes a biasing member forurging the wedge plate to the distal-most position.
 14. The surgicalclip applier according to claim 13, wherein the biasing member isconnected to at least the wedge plate.
 15. The surgical clip applieraccording to claim 12, wherein a proximal end of the inner tube extendsinto the handle assembly, and wherein at least one release pin extendsfrom the proximal end of the inner tube through a respective slotdefined in the handle assembly.
 16. The surgical clip applier accordingto claim 12, wherein the wedge plate is in the distal-most position whenthe trigger is in an un-actuated condition.
 17. The surgical clipapplier according to claim 12, wherein the wedge plate is in thedistal-most position when the trigger and the release mechanism are bothin an un-actuate condition.
 18. The surgical clip applier according toclaim 12, wherein the wedge plate is at least partially withdrawn whenthe trigger is at least partially actuated.